Chinese actor Zhang Yiyang is the first celebrity to be handed the death penalty in mainland China. Photo: China Press
Chinese singer-actor Zhang Yiyang was executed by firing squad on Dec 18, 2024, after being convicted of the murder of his 16-year-old girlfriend. He was 33 at the time of his death.
According to a recently released court document from the Intermediate People’s Court of Xianyang City in Shaanxi province, Zhang lured the victim – who was 15 when they started dating – into a forest in Xingping city on Feb 26, 2022.
When she expressed her intention to end the relationship, a heated argument broke out, during which Zhang fatally stabbed her in the neck.
Following the attack, Zhang returned home to change his clothes and disposed of both the bloodied garments and the victim’s mobile phone by throwing them into a river.
He then checked into a hotel, where he attempted to take his own life but was discovered by a staff member who alerted the police.
The court described Zhang’s actions as extremely violent and socially harmful.
His pattern of emotional manipulation, including repeated threats of suicide to control the victim, further influenced the court’s decision to uphold his death sentence after a failed appeal.
The case sent shockwaves across mainland China. It marks the first time a celebrity in the country was legally executed for a criminal offense.
In the wake of the news, netizens slammed the posthumous release of Zhang’s film Jie You Yin Sheng Guan, which premiered in March this year.
Users on Douban (a Chinese online database for film, books, music and more), also bombarded the film’s page with one-star ratings, condemning its release given that its lead actor had been executed for the murder of an underage girl.
Those suffering from mental health issues or contemplating suicide can reach out to the Mental Health Psychosocial Support Service (03-2935 9935 or 014-322 3392); Talian Kasih (15999 or 019-261 5999 on WhatsApp); Jakim’s Family, Social and Community care centre (011-1959 8214 on WhatsApp); and Befrienders Kuala Lumpur (03-7627 2929, visit www.befrienders.org.my/centre-in-malaysia for a full list of numbers and operating hours, or email sam@befrienders.org.my.
